From: ftww@cs.su.oz.au (Fred the Wonder Worm) Newsgroups: sci.math Subject: Re: Q: Constructing the Geometric Mean Date: 2 Jul 1997 11:39:10 +1000 In article , Paul Gailiunas wrote: > >Mascheroni proved that any straight-edge and compass construction can be >done using only a compass. Steiner and Poncelet proved that a straight >edge and one circle is sufficient but I have no idea how to solve your >problem with this restriction. That should be a straight edge and one circle together with its centre. Also a straightedge and two intersecting circles, or three circles in general position. As others have observed, the original problem is not solvable with a straightedge alone. Cheers, Geoff. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Geoff Bailey (Fred the Wonder Worm) | Programmer by trade -- ftww@cs.su.oz.au | Gameplayer by vocation. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------